Tenth Division Barracks.
"These, these, and these. Organize everything and give it to me after."
Matsumoto Rangiku, lounging comfortably in the office, gave orders to Hitsugaya Tōshirō with a lazy smile.
Tōshirō stared at the towering stack of paperwork in front of him, the corner of his mouth twitching. He picked up the top file and skimmed through it. "I've never dealt with anything like this before. Are you really okay dumping it all on me?"
"You need the experience," Rangiku replied sweetly, resting her chin on her crossed hands. "You're Third Seat now. It's important you start learning how to manage division affairs if we want to keep the Tenth Division running smoothly."
"This is basically every report we've had in the last few weeks, isn't it?"
Her eyes widened innocently. "Are you accusing me of shirking my duties? You little brat, I'm trying to train you! You know how much I carry on my back in this division. It's always been me doing everything. What's wrong with helping out a little?"
Tōshirō sighed deeply, thoroughly unamused.
Rangiku pouted dramatically. "You know what our captain's like. It's tough luck for those of us beneath him. But hey, once I become captain, I'll promote you to vice-captain."
Rolling his eyes, Tōshirō shot back, "Vice-captain? I think my power already surpasses yours. You've been stuck at your level forever. At this rate, I'll be captain before you."
Rangiku's smile froze. "You little—! Just take the work and get going! As Third Seat, your job is to assist me. So that means listening to me!"
"..."
Tōshirō didn't argue further. He simply took the stack of paperwork and walked out.
As she watched the silver-haired boy leave, Rangiku's lips curled into a relaxed smile. She stretched back in her chair.
"Ahhh... now this is the life."
On his way out, Tōshirō passed by the captain's office and glanced inside. It was empty. He chuckled wryly.
Their captain and vice-captain were truly cut from the same cloth.
Meanwhile, in a small Rukongai tavern, Shiba Isshin sat across from Tachikawa Shin, cups of sake between them.
"I went to see the Head-Captain again yesterday," Isshin began, his expression troubled. "We talked about you."
"I'm not in a rush," Shin replied calmly.
"Now you're not in a rush," Isshin grumbled. "But what should've been a clean appointment has turned into a mess. I'm half-expecting to get summoned by Central 46 any day now."
Shin laughed. "It's not that serious."
"Not for this matter, maybe," Isshin said, narrowing his eyes. "But the way you're going about things... makes me wonder what you'll do next. You might cause something much worse."
Shin smiled helplessly. "You're painting me like some kind of criminal mastermind."
Isshin leaned in. "Everyone in the Soul Society treats the Head-Captain with the utmost reverence. But you… it's like you don't fear him at all."
"So now I'm disrespectful?"
Isshin paused, thinking. "I haven't been captain for that long. I don't know all the history, only the rumors. And I don't really understand you swordsmen, but I respect your path."
Shin went quiet. He realized Isshin thought he was recklessly chasing a death match with Unohana.
Isshin hesitated, then asked, "Is fighting Captain Unohana really that important to you?"
"Of course not," Shin answered with a soft chuckle.
"Then why did you say all that to the Head-Captain?"
"I just wanted to try," Shin said simply.
Isshin didn't know what to say anymore. He thought he'd figured Shin out—clearly, he hadn't.
After a long silence, he said, "I never knew Captain Unohana very well. But according to Captains Kyōraku and Ukitake, she's... not someone you can simply walk away from. If you fight her, it won't end peacefully. That's the result the Head-Captain fears."
Shin sipped his sake. "They all think I'll die. They still see her as the butcher from a thousand years ago."
Isshin stared. "Isn't she?"
Shin set down his cup and fell silent for a few seconds. Then, finally, he nodded. "Yes."
And then, after a pause: "But people can change… I suppose the Head-Captain's concern comes from a place of care. I should probably be honored."
Isshin blinked, surprised at the sudden shift in tone. "I don't get you at all."
Shin just smiled.
Isshin let out a long sigh. "Y'know, I once had a decent idea."
"Oh?"
"Doesn't matter," Isshin waved it off with a smile. "Just something I thought about. Not very realistic—less likely than you being allowed to fight Unohana."
Shin looked at him curiously, but no amount of prying could get Isshin to explain.
Finally, annoyed by Shin's persistence, Isshin suddenly asked, "Shin, is there someone you like?"
Shin froze.
He stared at the normally reserved and low-key captain across from him with astonishment. "Captain Shiba… now you're the one I don't understand."
Isshin grinned without elaborating. "Don't overthink it. Central 46 would never agree anyway. It's not a realistic idea."
That evening, Shin returned home slightly tipsy—and found the black cat again, curled on his windowsill.
He stepped forward and scooped it up.
The cat tried to bolt, but to its surprise, it found it couldn't move.
Shin gently ran his fingers along its soft fur. "We're out of fish today. You want something else?"
Golden feline eyes darted around, visibly annoyed.
Shin retrieved another kind of meat from the kitchen, placed it on a plate, and released the cat. It stared at him warily.
"Staring at me won't change anything. Aren't you hungry?"
After a long pause, the cat finally lowered its head and began to eat.
When it finished, it perched on the table, licking its paws.
Shin stood to pour water, but a sudden voice cut through the room.
"What technique did you use to restrain me just now?"
Shin blinked. He turned to see the black cat standing upright on the table, staring at him.
"How did you do that?"
A deep male voice—coming from the cat.
Shin's mouth curled into a grin. "So you can talk after all."
The cat's tone was calm. "You already knew I wasn't an ordinary cat, didn't you?"
Shin placed the water dish in front of it. "Before I answer that—why do you keep coming to my place?"
The cat replied, "Because the first time we met, you noticed something strange about me."
Shin nodded thoughtfully. "So you've been watching me all this time, hoping to find something interesting."
"Exactly," the cat confirmed. "You're no ordinary shinigami. That technique just now—it wasn't a standard bakudō. Did you invent it?"
"You could say that."
The cat went quiet for a moment, then said, "You're going to be made captain of the Tenth Division."
Shin laughed. "You've got good sources."
The cat didn't respond, simply lowering its head to drink.
As Shin considered what to say next, a hell butterfly fluttered through the open window.
It landed gently on his fingertip.
The message made Shin's eyes narrow slightly.
A summons from the First Division.
He glanced down at the black cat again.
"You will be officially appointed as the Tenth Division captain one month from now. Shiba Isshin has filed a formal leave of absence."
The one delivering this message was not the Head-Captain himself, but Sasakibe Chōjirō.
"Leave of absence?" Shin murmured.
There was no such thing as 'retirement' in the Gotei 13. Once a shinigami had proven themselves fit for service, they were expected to serve indefinitely.
There were only two ways out: permanent dismissal or detainment.
That's what 'leave of absence' really meant.
Technically, special exceptions could be granted—like with the noble houses. Shihōin and Kuchiki had unique rights that allowed captains like Yoruichi or Ginrei to leave gracefully.
But the Shiba family… had no such privilege.
Sasakibe added, "We're informing you early so you can prepare. The announcement remains confidential. Please don't speak of this appointment until it's made official."
"I understand."
News of Shiba Isshin's sudden leave quickly spread through Seireitei. Many were surprised.
Most assumed he'd be back eventually. After all, it was only a leave—not retirement.
Some didn't think much of it.
Others cared deeply.
One of them was Shiba Kaien, who immediately sought out his uncle.
"What happened?"
"Nothing major," Isshin replied breezily. "Just tired. Thought I'd take a long vacation."
Kaien frowned. It didn't fit. His uncle lived like every day was a vacation.
"What's really going on?"
Isshin sighed. "I don't want to be a captain anymore."
Kaien froze.
Only a year into his own term as a captain, his mind raced.
"Did Central 46 pressure you into this? They agreed to this appointment, didn't they?!"
"You're overthinking it," Isshin waved him off. "You know my personality. It's just easier this way."
Kaien clenched his fists. "Then I'll go speak with the Head-Captain."
"Don't be stupid!" Isshin barked. "Think about the consequences. You're the one who has to carry this family now! I told you, this was my decision!"
Kaien fell silent, then loosened his grip.
"...The Shiba Clan… is a joke."
Isshin frowned. "We had two captains serving at once. What other noble clan can claim that?"
"But—"
Isshin clapped him on the shoulder. "No use complaining. Focus on your duties. You're the captain of the Third Division now."
One day, Kaien would understand everything. But not yet.
Isshin smiled wryly to himself.
What a pity about Tachikawa…
He'd really hoped the boy could be something more. But Shin didn't play by the rules. He'd eventually clash with everything Seireitei stood for. Best not to tie him too closely to the Shiba family.
"Tell Kūkaku and Ganju yourself," Isshin said.
Kaien found Shin soon after.
Shin figured it had to do with Isshin's sudden departure. Maybe Kaien had already learned the truth.
If Kaien held a grudge over it… that would be fair.
But Kaien's first words were:
"Shin. Do you want to be a captain?"
His gaze was intense. Unflinching. Earnest in a way Shin had never seen before.
"...What?"
"I'm asking you. Do you want to be captain? Forget what you said before. If the opportunity were in front of you right now—would you take it?"
Shin stared at him for a long moment.
Then slowly… nodded.
"I would."
Kaien grinned.
"Good. Because I consider you my friend."
"...Yeah," Shin said, his voice low. "Me too."